Duluth woman not guilty in knife attack on officer

DULUTH, Minn. - A woman accused of assaulting two Duluth police officers and a third person will remain committed to a mental health facility after a judge found her not guilty because of her mental illness.

Forty-year-old Leah Nelson was charged with four counts of assault in an April 2010 attack outside the Holiday Center in downtown Duluth. Sixth Judicial District Judge Mark Munger signed an order Tuesday that concludes Nelson suffers from schizophrenia and should remain committed.

Nelson was accused of attacking a female officer with two knives when the officer told Nelson she was in a no-smoking zone near a bus stop. The Duluth News Tribune says Laura Marquardt suffered a broken nose and facial injuries. Nelson was also accused of attacking another officer and a bystander who came to Marquardt's aid.

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